Phytoplankton Photobioreactor

Town Biologist, Tara Riley, and Hatchery Technician, Joe Minella, demonstrate the capabilities of the PBR

GHYCF gifts the photobioreactor to TON NRD Brant Shellfish Hatchery in January of 2023. This unit, produced by Industrial Plankton, was installed in the Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery on January 17th, 2023. The PBR is designed to improve efficiencies, costs, and biosecurity issues associated with traditional microalgae culture while advancing the Town’s hatchery production of shellfish by providing a continuous supply of their food source: microalgae “on tap”.

The bioreactor holds up to 1,250 liters of live, healthy microalgae to feed larval shellfish with a continuous delivery system. The PBR is unmatched in maintaining a sterile environment and cuts down on 75% of labor for the team. The machine digitally monitors and controls every aspect of its algae production and can even be controlled by an app on the town biologist’s phone for a completely precision process.

Nantucket is the first town in Massachusetts to install a PBR for a municipal hatchery's production of shellfish and is the proud owner of Industrial Plankton's 186th unit - all thanks to our Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation. Summer tours of the shellfish hatchery will feature the PBR.